More than an outfit. More thought than one leg at a time. Putting on the uniform is not just an ordinary daily task, but a habitual part of preparing for the unexpected. Yes, a firefighter’s uniform is more than an outfit. Think about who is wearing it and the risks they are exposed to on a daily basis.
The firefighter comes from a long line of heroes, a brotherhood and sisterhood, with traditions to uphold and a reputation to maintain. Their uniform is no different. Its historical navy-blue threads. Classic, professional appearance. Tactical features. Technology-driven fabric. Over time, the uniform’s engineering has needed to adapt with new designs and react to worsened exposures and more dangerous rescue missions. The 21st Century firefighter’s uniform is unique and specific to the job with current trends fixating on the best user experience while future plans focus on preventative and safety measures due to increased societal and architectural risks.
Comfortable firefighter uniform
So, what does the 21st Century firefighter want? Comfort. Beyond Personal Protective Equipment, it is an overwhelming plea for a more comfortable uniform to wear. This includes garments that are easy “wash and wear” materials that do not require additional ironing.
Firefighters do not want to lose the professional appearance or tactical functionality of the uniform
The trend calls for lightweight, breathable, cool-weather wear that is less restrictive and offers more give and more stretch so firefighters can perform their job responsibilities more efficiently. However, they do not want to lose the professional appearance or tactical functionality of the uniform.
“We need something that looks presentable every time,” said Chief Robert Burdette of Grand Blanc Fire Department, Michigan.
Additionally, more firefighters are also starting to wear polo shirts or mesh T-shirts under their Turnout gear, for a lighter weight, more breathable option from the traditional uniform shirt.
The trend calls for lightweight, breathable, cool-weather wear that is less restrictive
Risk of cancer
Unfortunately, comfort is not the only concern firefighters have when it comes to uniforms, or their safety in general. As risky and demanding of a profession the fire service can be, the fires have proven not to be the most hazardous or life threatening. According to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, “Cancer is the most dangerous threat to firefighter health and safety today.”
A study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) concluded that firefighters have a 9% increased chance of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% increased chance to die from cancer compared to the general United States population.
Chief Dennis Jenkerson of the St. Louis Fire Department in Missouri is one of many chiefs actively fighting these statistics. Responsible for 32 firehouses, Jenkerson has witnessed the reality of this threat with the loss of four of his own and understands the validity of the situation. For the last 18 months, the St. Louis Fire Department has made headway implementing a drastic culture change by evaluating everything from equipment, apparel, lifestyle and more.
Cancer affecting firefighters
“It is so prevalent that everything we do anymore has to do with some emphasis on protecting firefighters from getting cancer,” said Chief Mike Ramm of Sylvania Township Fire Department, Ohio.
“Cancer is the most dangerous threat to firefighter health and safety today”
According to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, the cancers that have mostly affected firefighters are respiratory (lung, mesothelioma), gastrointestinal (oral cavity, esophageal, large intestine) and kidney.
“Testicular cancer is through the roof,” added Jenkerson, who has pushed his firefighters to get tested for cancers earlier than normally necessary. He also explained that the imagery of a firefighter drinking from a fire hydrant can no longer happen. He emphasized the importance of cleaning up instantly after every fire.
Think of the simple act of removing grimy gloves after a call – at least one hand has been exposed to the cancerous contaminants if it was accidentally used to take off the other glove. If that unwashed, contaminated hand touches food that goes into the mouth of the firefighter, he/she is essentially eating what may cause esophageal, oral cavity or gastric cancers.
Cancer is the most dangerous threat to firefighter health and safety today
According to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) via the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, cancer caused 61% of the career firefighter line-of-duty deaths from January 1, 2002 to March 31, 2017. Additionally, 70% of the line-of-duty deaths for career firefighters were because of cancer in 2016. Unfortunately, this hazard is not going away any time soon.
The new building materials and new house furnishings have become the culprit for this major concern. These materials are man-made and are not of natural resources. When burned, they create deadly carcinogens that the firefighters are getting exposed to firsthand.
Immediate decontamination process
Jenkerson’s implementation of a culture change includes an immediate decontamination process following a fire, which involves getting hosed with water, cleansing wipes for all soft tissue areas of the body and an immediate shower back at the station.
“Any place you can get a five degree rise in skin temperature, the absorption level goes up 10 times,” Jenkerson warned. His firefighters are instructed to remove their bunker gear, uniform, helmet and all other equipment right away that get immediately washed once they have returned to the station.
Hems, collars, cuffs and cargo pockets are areas of the uniform where toxins get caught
He also restricts all firefighters and EMTs from going on a second run until they have showered and have put on a new, clean set of clothes, all the way down to their underwear. “There are no two-runs. We have to get this stuff off [of them].”
Uniform manufacturers are tasked with finding a solution to help facilitate Jenkerson’s and other Fire Chiefs’ visions by designing a uniform with as little gaps and fold-over materials as possible.
“Everything needs to be sealed tight,” Jenkerson explained. Hems, collars, cuffs and cargo pockets are all areas of the uniform where toxins get caught. A lightweight shirt option that offers a crew collar with a two to three button placket and a lightweight, ventilated hidden cargo pant could be the future of fire uniforms.
“There isn’t another profession that has the thousands of dangers that we have every day,” Ramm explained.
Additional and ongoing efforts currently underway according to the NFPA Journal, include those by the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, the Congressional Firefighter Cancer Registry, the Fire Protection Research Foundation, the FPRF Campaign for Fire Service Contamination Control, and the International Association of Firefighters.
Active shooter emergency response
Firefighters and EMTs increasingly need to wear bullet proof vests with the surge in active shooter calls
An additional and unfortunate trend that is also sweeping the nation is the need for firefighters and EMTs to wear bullet proof vests. Departments are trying their best to arm their men and women with this protection along with ballistic helmets in certain regions due to the surge in active shooter calls.
“In areas that have a lot of gang-related activity, [bullet proof vests] would be beneficial,” said Jason Reyes of Allen Fire Department, Texas. “Sometimes you go on calls when the city doesn’t have enough police to respond to calls, which creates a situation that leaves firefighters unprotected and vulnerable.”
Currently the market has ballistic vests available that can either be worn over or under a firefighter’s uniform and under their bunker gear. Uniform manufacturers also offer an external vest carrier option that is worn over a firefighter’s uniform to look like part of the uniform shirt to maintain a professional appearance.
Distinguishing firefighters from law enforcement
“Firefighters find themselves becoming targets more and more these days,” added Deputy Chief of Operations Dwayne Jamison of Bartow County Fire Department, Georgia. “Many departments, including my own, are looking to outfit their firefighters with bullet proof vests.”
Although this trend has not affected every region, industry experts can see the need becoming more widespread if threats continue to increase the way they have been. Along the same lines, firefighters want to be identified as firefighters and not mistaken for law enforcement.
“We don’t want to look like police,” Jenkerson said. “We want to be identified as firefighters. Even if it takes a different stripe.”
When it comes to uniform trends for firefighters, it is clear there is more to focus on than the technical details. For many fire departments, future trends could serve as a tool to prevent deadly toxins from being absorbed and from lethal bullets puncturing unprotected firefighters and EMTs. The uniform is more than an outfit. With a larger purpose than to shield a body, the uniform goes beyond the navy-blue threads, professional appearance and tactical features to one day supporting what could be a lifesaving concept.
Sources
Firefighter Cancer Support Network, Preventing Cancer in the Fire Service
National Fire Protection Association, Firefighters and Cancer
NFPA Journal, Fast Track: Some of the national efforts underway to fight cancer in the fire service; Roman, Jesse; 2017

Airport firefighters operate very differently to their municipal fire and rescue colleagues
For the thousands of firefighters covering over 80 major commercial airports throughout Europe, life is very different from that experienced by their municipal fire and rescue service colleagues. The differences range from the type of regime they experience to the types of emergency they are called upon to deal with on a daily basis. Richard Cranham, Business Development Manager at Bristol Uniforms Ltd, explains more.
Airports with scheduled passenger services range from the largest international airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Paris, Amsterdam Schiphol and Frankfurt, to some of the smallest, which include those serving smaller communities in Scandinavia and the Highlands & Islands Airports group in Scotland with 10 locations spread across some of the most inaccessible parts of the country.
BAA (formerly The British Airports Authority) is the largest airport operator in the UK with 7 locations and employing over 450 firefighters at their sites at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
An airport firefighter's typical day
Unlike their municipal counterparts, airport firefighters are required to cover all types of emergencies within the airport boundaries with many of the incidents unrelated to aircraft accidents or fires. Major aircraft accidents are very rare thanks to strict safety regulations and major improvements in aircraft design and build.
Airport firefighters must cover all emergencies within airport boundaries - including incidents unrelated to aircraft accidents or fires
In many locations the fire services work closely with the ambulance and other emergency services dealing with all types of accidents including traffic incidents, vehicle fires, and fire alarms across the sites as well as being placed on standby whenever a pilot alerts traffic control to any type of malfunction which could present a safety hazard on landing.
The most frequent incidents affecting jet aircraft involve overheating of undercarriages, wheels, tyres and brakes as well as engine problems, which although uncommon, nevertheless require putting into action major emergency standby routines.
Station Officer at Bristol International Airport, Rich Lynn, who has 48 firefighters on station explained that his team is required to cover all emergencies on site including those involving buildings, vehicles and aircraft-related incidents. "We provide emergency cover for all 11 buildings on the airport site as well as dealing with aircraft-related emergencies. Although we have very few aircraft fires the main potential areas for fire are overheating sub-assemblies, wheels and brakes and any ruptures in hydraulic lines which work at high pressure and could easily cause a fire in contact with hot metal. Carbon fibre braking systems and fans on wheels on modern aircraft have greatly reduced the fire hazard."
A plane coming in to land at Schiphol airport, Amsterdam
Chief Fire Officer at Schiphol Airport, Michel Wendel, explained that his firefighters are called upon to deal not only with aviation related incidents, but many others in and around the Schiphol area which are more closely related to normal fire duty callouts. On average there are in the region of 50 aviation related incidents annually with several hundred other callouts for various fire and other related hazards during the year around the large Schiphol site.
Although the airport only has one terminal building, this is split into three large departure halls serving the 6 runways which range in length from over 2km to 3.8km. The most recent runway to be built was completed in 2003 and there are already plans to add a seventh in the near future. Schiphol is the world's lowest major airport being 3 metres below sea level.
Schiphol has a good air traffic accident record. The last major fire was in October 2005 and was non-aviation related. A fire broke out at the airport's detention centre, killing 11 people and injuring 15. The complex was holding 350 people at the time of the incident.
The last aviation accident occurred over 12 years ago when a Saab 340 operated by KLM Cityhopper returned to Schiphol because the crew mistakenly believed that the engine suffered from low oil pressure because of a faulty warning light. On final approach, at a height of 90 feet, the plane stalled and hit the ground. Of the twenty-four people on board, three were killed including the captain. Nine others were seriously injured.
Fires caused by burning aviation fuel require special skills - training is a regular part of the airport firefighter's working life
Airport firefighter training
Even though the call to action to fight fires may come infrequently, the special characteristics of hot fires caused by burning aviation fuel need special skills. Training is a regular and frequent part of the firefighter's working life.
At Schiphol, training is carried out on a daily basis. There are 125 full time firefighters on station who all work shifts of 3 teams over 24 hours. The size of the airport complex is such that the firefighters operate out of 3 fire stations - Rijk, Sloten and Vijfhuizen - which are located around the site.
A Manchester airport firefighter training in the cab of a plane
Michel Wendel gave details saying, "Firefighter training is carried out at the main station, Sloten, on a daily basis. Firefighters are on rotational duty at Sloten and their training is undertaken when they are on main station duty. Normally training sessions last about 4 hours. A range of training is carried out including simulated fire fighting on a Boeing 747 test rig with a computer-controlled gas fire."
Gerard Montgomery, Senior Airport Fire Officer at Gatwick, has 80 firefighters on location including himself and a deputy. His team is responsible for dealing with all site emergencies and shares daytime callouts with the ambulance service. With responding to all fire alarms and traffic accidents at Gatwick his crew handle around 2,500 callouts annually.
On training Gerard explained, "We carry out training on a weekly basis on an LPG Boeing 747 aircraft simulator. This would involve a number of fire scenarios and also provides training for breathing apparatus, hose management and ladder work. We are also acquiring a fire behaviour simulator which will provide carbonaceous fire scenarios. The new unit was installed in the summer of 2006."
Firefighter clothing: emphasis on lighter weight, wearer comfort
Most, if not all, airports use a selection procedure for purchasing firefighter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which routinely involves trialling samples of kit from several manufacturers. The alternatives are inspected and supplied to firefighters to carry out wearer trials. Selection is based on a number of criteria including wearer comfort, durability, price, sizing and availability of stock.
A number of airport fire teams are being, or have been, re-equipped over the past 2-3 years giving them the opportunity to take advantage of the new lighter weight firefighter clothing being introduced to the market which provide greater wearer comfort and reduce heat stress associated with prolonged periods of wear. There is also growing interest in adopting managed care services as a means of providing regular inspection, washing and repair.
Richard Cranham - Business Development Manager, Bristol Uniforms Ltd

Bristol Uniforms will be unveiling a new provision for Fire & Rescue Services (FRSs) at this year’s Emergency Services Show, to specifically help with the swift and safe cleaning and decontamination of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
A global renowned designer and manufacturer of PPE for the emergency services, Bristol Uniforms will be supplying specialist decontamination machines to Fire & Rescue Services for use on-site at fire stations, as well as enhancing its managed services offering by installing the machines within its in-house UK Service Centers.
Solo Rescue Decon Washer
The Solo Rescue Decon Washer cleans SCBA in a self-contained, sealed compartment which minimizes manual contact with contaminated material. Developed in collaboration with the Swedish Rescue Services, it successfully removes residues of combustion gases, soot particles and toxins in just a few minutes, and fits in a compact space of less than 1 sq. m.
Ian Mitchell, Joint Managing Director at Bristol Uniforms, comments, “While most Fire and Rescue Services in the UK now opt for managed services contracts for cleaning uniforms, many don’t send their SCBA for professional cleaning as there are not always sets to spare and equipment has to stay on site.”
The Solo Rescue machines offer a quick and easy way for FRSs to clean their SCBA on site"
Solo Rescue Machines
He adds, “As a result, breathing apparatus is often cleaned by hand, which is a lengthy process and can expose the firefighter undertaking the cleaning to further risk of contamination. The Solo Rescue machines offer a quick and easy way for FRSs to clean their SCBA on site, or for those that prefer, we can now undertake this cleaning quickly and efficiently for them as part of a managed services program at one of our UK in-house service centers.”
The durable stainless-steel machines have a swift cleaning cycle, meaning that up to 14 sets of SCBA can be decontaminated in just one hour, considerably improving the speed and efficiency of the cleaning process. The Solo Rescue Machines are also simple to operate, with minimal servicing required.
SCBA decontamination procedure
Because the Solo Rescue cleaning process has been laboratory tested for the removal of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), FRSs will have the benefit of a robust SCBA decontamination procedure. As the approved distributor, a Solo Rescue machine will be on display for visitors to view at the Bristol Uniforms stand A70 at the Emergency Services Show 2019.
Ian Mitchell continues, “At Bristol Uniforms we are committed to providing our customers with robust PPE cleaning and maintenance services. These new machines will provide fire crews with an additional solution, to help clean SCBA quickly, efficiently and thoroughly.”

Bristol Uniforms, a designer and manufacturer of protective clothing for emergency services across the globe, has joined forces with its international distributor Rosenbauer Slovenia to secure a contract with Ljubljana Fire Brigade.
Rosenbauer Slovenia and Bristol’s world-class design team worked closely to produce the winning design, which is based on Bristol’s ergonomic and lightweight XFlex design and customized to accommodate specific equipment. They used the latest fabric technology to create a quality, bespoke garment using a Hainsworth TITAN1220 outer layer, a GORE-TEX CROSSTECH FIREBLOCKER moisture barrier and a Hainsworth ECO-DRY ACTIVE lining.
Customizing Garments
Bristol’s experienced design team is well-versed in customizing garments and delivered to a high specification
The XFlex design met Ljubljana’s core requirements - manufactured to European standards, fit for purpose, comfortable, ergonomic and durable - but was adapted to ensure it fully complied with their brief, including a special shaped collar, waist adjuster straps and additional padding on the shoulders.
As well as having specific fabric and design requirements, the brigade also wanted the design to incorporate a number of different loops, hooks and pockets to accommodate a specific harness belt, radio and mic, torch, carabiner and Pax bag. Bristol’s experienced design team is well-versed in customizing garments and delivered to a high specification.
Strong Competitors
Aleš Vrščaj, Area Sales Manager at Rosenbauer Slovenia said: “We invested a lot of time into understanding the brief and requirements, and are very pleased with the finished design, as were Ljubljana. We were up against some strong competitors in the industry but in the end, our competitively priced tender, attention to detail and sound understanding of the brief gave us the edge.”
Richard Cranham, International Sales Manager at Bristol Uniforms said: “We have a long history of supplying Ljubljana Fire Brigade, who procured PPE from us until the mid 2000s, and are pleased that they have once more opted for Bristol kit. The contract will see us supplying the Brigade with 220 sets of kit over three years, including warranty. They have already taken delivery of 114 sets and feedback so far is really positive.”

The Emergency Services Show will feature free advice on physical and mental wellbeing for those working in demanding roles
Returning to Hall 5 and the outdoor area at the NEC, Birmingham, UK from 19-20 September 2018, The Emergency Services Show is a unique and growing event, promoting collaboration between the emergency services.
Free-to-attend, it brings together all disciplines from the emergency services sector to discover innovative technology and operational solutions, share experiences and prepare for future incidents.
The two-day event will feature a host of key learning opportunities including CPD-accredited seminars. West Midlands Fire Service will also be hosting extrication, first aid and trauma challenges.
There will be a wealth of free advice on physical and mental wellbeing as part of the event’s focus on supporting those working in demanding and challenging roles.
CPD-accredited programmes
Full details of all seminar programmes – all of which will be CPD-accredited - will be published on www.emergencyuk.com in the coming months. Emergency services and partner agencies will share their experiences of responding to real incidents in the Lessons Learnt seminar theatre (sponsored by UCLan).
Following its successful introduction in 2017, the Health & Wellbeing seminar theatre will also return. Speakers will include emergency responders who have experienced mental health challenges, and organisations who are implementing change and offering support.
The College of Paramedics is returning to deliver its very popular programme of free 30-minute CPD workshops which all emergency services personnel are welcome to attend.
Exhibition visitors will be able to see and touch the latest kit and discuss solutions to their needs with suppliers
First-time fire safety exhibitors
Around the indoor and outdoor, exhibition visitors will be able to see and touch the latest kit and discuss solutions to their needs with suppliers. The organisers welcome back key suppliers including BMW Group, Bristol Uniforms, Jaguar Land Rover, Stryker UK Ltd and Vimpex. Many exhibitors will be demonstrating new solutions and technology on their stands.
Companies that will be exhibiting at The Emergency Services Show for the first time include the British Burn Association, BC Lifeguards, Fire Service Research & Training Trust, Haemoconcepts, Headset Services, Oscar Kilo, SimTrainer UK, Strongmind Resilience Training, Sub Zero Technology and UK ISAR.
Networking opportunities
In the networking hub of the show, The Collaboration Zone, over 80 emergency services, voluntary groups, charities and NGOs will be sharing details of the support they offer, while members of other partner agencies will be available to discuss co-response and other areas of partnership working.
Supporting organisations include Association of Air Ambulances, British APCO, the newly formed Central Programme Office (custodians of the FRS National Operational Guidance Programme), Fire Industry Association, Independent Ambulance Association, ResilienceDirect, The National Fire Chiefs Council and United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO) among others.
Entry to the exhibition and seminars is free, as is parking. The NEC is linked to Birmingham International Station and Birmingham Airport and is directly accessible from the UK motorway network.